Pedro Blanco (fl. 1588–1616) was a Spanish seaman, manservant and survivor of the Spanish Armada.
After his shipwreck in Ireland, he became an aide to nobleman Hugh O'Neill and fought in the Nine Years' War. Blanco distinguished himself at various battles, and was also an interpreter and interlocutor between the Spanish and Irish. In 1607 he accompanied O'Neill in his flight to mainland Europe, though it is unclear whether he ever returned to Spain. By 1616, it appears he was living in Rome.
Historian John McGurk has described Blanco as a "celebrated Spanish officer [who] loyally served O’Neill".[1]
See also: Streedagh Armada wrecksite and Spanish Armada in Ireland. The Spanish Armada was a naval fleet that sailed from Lisbon in May 1588. Philip II, King of Spain, intended to invade England and reinstate Catholicism in the country.[2] Blanco, variously described as an officer or ordinary seaman, served in the company of Captain Lope Vázquez.[3] [4] [5] He sailed on La Juliana, a merchant vessel (carrack) commandeered at Sicily on 15 December 1586.[6]
In late 1588, La Juliana became shipwrecked at Streedagh Strand, north of the Rosses Point Peninsula on the west coast of Ireland.[7] The English Lord Deputy of Ireland, William FitzWilliam, ordered the execution of any Spanish survivors.
The mercenary forces of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, commanded by his foster-brothers Richard and Henry Hovenden, committed the largest single massacre of Armada survivors in Inishowen.[8] On 14 September 1588, writing from Dungannon, Henry Hovenden reported to FitzWilliam that his troops "with 150 men attacked the Spaniards at Illagh, the O'Docartaig town, and the second day took them prisoners. Pray for a warrant for their victualing to Dublin. One of the prisoners has commanded over 30,000 men." FitzWilliam was suspicious of the Earl's activities, and refused to believe this news, but it is confirmed in the report of a Spanish escapee.
However, O'Neill also assisted three officers and many sick commoners, including Blanco. He kept on Blanco as his personal servant for at least the next nineteen years.[9]
It seems O'Neill never recruited Blanco or the other officers as soldiers. His decision may have been affected by the hostility the English had towards Lord Brian O'Rourke for recruiting many Spanish survivors into his military. O'Neill also helped nobleman Don Antonio Manrique escape.
Roughly half a dozen Spanish seamen, including Blanco, stayed behind in Ireland.[10] Other Spaniards who remained in the British Isles include:
The turmoil created by the Armada's arrival on the Irish coast was a contributing factor of the Nine Years' War (1594–1603).[10]
In 1596, Captain Alonso de Cobos reported the presence in Ulster of eight Spanish survivors of the Armada. On 20 November, de Cobos arrived at the Spanish court with a petition from these men asking for financial help; one of the names mentioned was Pedro Blanco. De Cobos proposed that it would be more valuable for Blanco to remain in Ireland as a Spanish translator and emissary - King Philip II agreed.
Blanco became a footman and trusted servant to the Earl of Tyrone. During the war, Blanco was a somewhat important figure as the Irish leaders sought assistance from Spain to fight England. In December 1601, the Irish alliance established contact with Juan del Águila, with various Spanish ensigns, including Blanco, acting as messengers.
According to O'Neill, Blanco "distinguished himself" at the Battle of the Yellow Ford and the Siege of Kinsale.[12]
By 1607, Blanco had somewhat assimilated into Irish life. He owned five cows, two calves, one heifer and two fowling pieces. He also had a wife and children living in Ireland. According to O'Neill, Blanco was "the last [Spaniard] remaining" in Ireland - the others either returned to Spain or were killed in war.
In 1607, Blanco was one of about ninety people who accompanied O'Neill in the Flight of the Earls, leaving Ireland to find better prospects in continental Europe. O'Neill had made a "snap decision" to leave Ireland; possibly because of this, Blanco left his wife and children behind.
They hoped to reach Spain, but their ship was driven by storms into port at Quilleboeuf, Normandy. They continued to Leuven in the Spanish Netherlands, and eventually arrived in Rome.
From Rome, O'Neill wrote a document in favour of Blanco, signed 7 January 1616, received by King Philip III on 17 February. O'Neill petitioned Philip to give Blanco employment, and implied that Blanco should be reunited with his wife and children.